Levin continues, "Low writes about the high desert with the intimacy of a local." Levin continues: "The poems in Shadow Light are heavily imagistic and sensory, focused on nature and the external world rather than Low’s interior life — though an “I” makes an appearance once in a while in order to anchor a short narrative in place. There is a sense of subtraction in the work, leaving reflection and interpretation in the hands of the reader. (August 10, 2018). For the full review, see "A Light at the End of the Shadow: Denise Low"

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Iceland is now a direct flight from my local airport in Kansas City, and friends post beautiful images Selected Poems, by 19th-century Icelandic poet Hjalmar Jonsson, gives a window into the fortitude necessary to survive isolation, cold, and hunger. The even graver difficulty is fellow humans. The collection also suggests the literary tradition that evolved in this environment. Hjalmar Jonsson, 1796 to 1875, is a poet still printed in schoolbooks, according to the editor of this book, Olafur Gunnarsson. Jonsson's work is part of the continuing tradition of the island. He did not publish in his lifetime, but in 1949, four volumes of his collected poems, rímur (short narrative poems), and prose in four volumes were finally compiled. This is the first "substantial" selection of his works to be translated into English. He is a serious critic of the wealthy, as this poem suggests:

from travels there. Life on a near-Arctic Circle island is not as idyllic as recent tourists might suggest. This collectionRich Man, Poor ManIf someone is a wealthy boorand none too clean or bright,big shots eating at their tableplace him on their right.The poor man with his cheeks so palereceives a homage sweet,beside some china chamber-pothe's reserved a seat. (62)
This is an example of the scathing commentary on the wealthy, which is offset by a sense of resignation in the poems, as in this:At a FuneralLong I thought it vile, the grave,Saw ignominy in dying.Now it is a gift God gave,A gift of peace to all who cravesalvation's freedom, sighing.
These short narrative lyrics are examples of the "rimur" or short, rhyming verses. He had a scathing tongue, sometimes used in a poetic competition: "When two Icelandic poets met, they often engaged in a poetry contest. The game was always to make the first part so difficult that the other was unable to finish the poem" (34). This is a hint at the tradition that lies outside the translation and often in oral tradition, not written.
The tradition continues, as a recent New York Times articles explains, quoting Sveinn Yngvi Egilsson, a professor of Icelandic literature at the University of Iceland: "In earlier times, verses were an integral part of social gatherings and were often improvised, he said. Poetry contests were held, with the prizes going to the wittiest, sharpest verses. The most popular verse form, he said, is called “ferskeytla,” four rhymed lines that can be divided into two parts." Jonsson continues to be read and honored. Icelandic people read much poetry, and many are poets.
This book Selected Poems by Hjalmar Jonsson is amazing. It is an invitation to see a language related to English with its own traditions refined by the surrounding environment, both social and physical. Fred Whitehead conceived of this project, as he explains in a preface; David McDuff translated the poems; Olafur Gunnarsson selected and edited the book; and an "Afterward" by Hannes Hafstein tells much about Jonsson's life and poetic opus. The book is available through U.K. Amazon and John Brown Press, PO Box 5224, Kansas City, KS 66119, $16 + $4 postage. 91 pp, paperback.

About Me

Denise Low, Ph.D. and MFA, is author of over 25 books and chapbooks. She is former Kansas Poet Laureate. The Poetry Foundation features samples of her writing. She was Associated Writings & Writing Programs board member and president. She received an NEH faculty fellowship for ongoing research into Plains ledger art (www.plainsledgerart.org). She founded the creative writing program at Haskell Indian Nations University. She has been a visiting professor at the University of Richmond and the University of Kansas. Currently, she teaches in the Baker University School of Professional and Graduate Studies, in addition to private workshops.

About Me

Denise Low, Ph.D. and MFA, is author of over 25 books and chapbooks. She is former Kansas Poet Laureate. The Poetry Foundation features samples of her writing. She was Associated Writings & Writing Programs board member and president. She received an NEH faculty fellowship for ongoing research into Plains ledger art (www.plainsledgerart.org). She founded the creative writing program at Haskell Indian Nations University. She has been a visiting professor at the University of Richmond and the University of Kansas. Currently, she teaches in the Baker University School of Professional and Graduate Studies, in addition to private workshops.